AFTER: Our design includes a new entryway gabled roof along with a combination a shake and lap siding, cultured stone, Pella craftsman style garage/entry doors and Pella 450 Series Casement windows with decorative flower boxes below. Another reason why these types of houses are desirable to homeowners is that the layout separates the living area from the sleeping area, offering more privacy. The lights will stay relatively hidden and wont become a distraction, either. Another great idea is to replace old windows with newer ones and tearing down some of your interior walls to make space and bring in more natural light. With some proper planning and a little bit of flexibility, it is possible to transform that 1950s look into something that has a much more modern, updated feel to it. Because of their design, split-level homes can struggle to get an ample amount of natural light. Dont be intimidated by the challenge of remodeling a split-level home it is absolutely doable, even with a small budget. It is the literal antithesis of the modern floorplan. A roof is far more than a utilitarian way to keep precipitation out of the house its an important design element that can make or break an exterior remodel. The colonial style is associated with the style of building used from the 17th to the 19th century, particularly in colonial America. As prices in close-in suburbs inch toward the stratosphere, split-levels are often the only house types left that younger buyers can afford. If you live in a suburban area and your home has been around since the 1950s, 1960s, or 1970s, chances are you are living in a split-level home. Keep in mind that the costs could be elevated from a standard renovation project because of the potential removal of walls and their load-bearing implications. And if those are no longer in production, good luck with how youre going to make it blend in with the rest of your home. Consider casement windows, which feature cranks and swing out to open up. William Feemster of ImageArts Photography. Again, the main advantage to this type of split-level home is the lack of staircases connecting each level of the house. The things you can do when remodeling a split-level home is not limited to what we have included in our list. Make no mistake, retro is chic but split-level homes, to many, are still out of style. For people that have trouble making it up and down the stairs, the ranch style is ideal. If you prefer a home that still separates the living space from the bedrooms, but doesnt require a full flight of stairs to reach, you may consider a side split style house. Placement of the family room, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, and bathrooms can all vary in this style. Whereas, with split-level homes, theres usually a one-story section that connects to a two-story section instead of being right on top of each other. In most cases, the bottom level is a garage, a den, a playroom, a recreation room, or other informal living areas. With four or five floors, "stacked" is definitely a good name for this style. The first is that they create a much better separation between the upstairs and the downstairs. A split-level home has a few great places to start. Bryan Jones, Principal Jones Pierce Inc. An Atlanta based Architectural firm specializing in custom home transformations and custom retirement homes in fun places. While the ranch will need more roof to cover the square footage than a multi-level house, the roof lines of a ranch are cheaper to construct, so youre still coming out ahead overall. Balodemas said real estate developers saw them as a way. It is not Zillow's intention to solicit or interfere with any established agency relationship you may have with a real estate professional. But you might be struggling to figure out what kind of paint to use on garage walls. You can add a number of design elements, such as siding, tiles, wood, stone, and other decorative pieces to give it a new look. You just have less freedom to do whatever you want with it and you need to generally work with whats already there. Before we dive too deeply into the types of split-level homes, its important to know the distinguishing features of split-level houses. They are close to town, and they have a reasonable cost basis, due to their older look. Recessed lighting, also known as can lights, can be an excellent addition to ergonomic, modern kitchens. But a few simple modifications can transform them, making them one of the best fixer-upper options. Once you see the possibilities and start looking at the changes that can be made, youll realize that a split-level may have more potential to look great in decades to come than almost any other old-school design out there. To the right of the front door is a tiny window allowing peek-a-boo views of guest arrivals from inside the daughter's closet. Updating a tri-level home is not a project that you can just DIY your way to completion. If your home doesnt have windows on the sides, which is typical to this type, get them installed as well. Though, split-level homes can also have more than three levels. fiber cement siding painted Cleveland Green (7" siding), Sweet Vibrations (4" siding), and Texas Leather (11" siding)all by Benjamin Moore window trim and clerestory band painted Night Horizon by Benjamin Moore soffit & fascia painted Camouflage by Benjamin Moore. And for split-level homes, the ideal remodel involves also the sides of the house. . The roof lines create an interesting look and this style never seems to be out-dated. Required fields are marked *. Raised ranch homes flip the expected configuration upside-down. You can also turn it into your home office and place all your filing cabinets, bookcase, and other similar items there. Split foyer to French colonial. On the other hand, this is not something you can do with split-level homes. The split level house design has evolved in the world of production builders following the ranch home. From the outside, this type of split-level house looks like a tri-level home but its technically bi-level, with a distinct wing for the entry. However, there are major differences between these two home styles. It is not only the planning stage that you need to focus on the execution is equally important. Split foyer houses have two levels, with two sets of stairs. Light colored paint will reflect light better and gives a brighter feel to the interiors of any home. Please seek the services of a legal, accounting or real estate professional prior to any real estate transaction. A cottage is typically a one bedroom dwelling meant for travelers or people on vacation. We wont keep you guessing for so long you can make additions to a split-level home, despite the space constraints. Here is more info about both split levels and colonial homes, and the pros and cons of each. It is fairly easy to spot most split-level homes from the outside, as they seem to be half a two-story home and half a bungalow or ranch-style home that are combined to form a single house. Split-levels are cool on the inside. On our website, we have been getting many hits and search querys every month concerning split level renovations. That is, the middle and largest level is for the dining and living areas, the upper floor is for bedrooms, and the lowest floor is for the garage or cellar. The outdatedness of a split-level home isnt specific to the interior. Whats not to love about a split-level home? More information Split level homes have a bit of an outdated look to them that has fallen out of favor in the ultra-modern or ultra-rustic home landscape. A lot of homeowners who want to add space to their homes make the mistake of not considering how it would look like in the end. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldnt wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. Ryan also loves hockey and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan. Typically, split level homes are good candidates for an architectural intervention. Split-level homes are great for those who want to conserve the space on their property, without sacrificing room inside of the home. Get new garage doors. You actually get 3 levels for living space so you really get a sense of depth being in the house. The difference is remarkable and it not only looks better, but this growing family can stay in the neighborhood of their choice and still have room for their expanding lifestyle. The triangular shelves in the corner are quite accessible when the pullouts are extended. Since split-level houses are stacked, they dont take up as much yard space and still provide plenty of square footage vertically on the interior. We will not contact you with anything else. If you were a fan of The Brady Bunch, then you know exactly what a split-level house is. This means youll have to climb multiple stairs in order to do your laundry in your own home. Personnaliser mon exprience l'aide de cookies, Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists, Gregory Thomas, Architect, AKBD, CG&S Design-Build, Politique d'Utilisation des Cookies de Houzz. By working with siding styles and stonework, the creative homeowner can transform his bland home into something beautiful. The more steps you have, the more difficult snow removal is going to be in the winter months. Perhaps youve got your heart set on a modern, contemporary, or even a Colonial-style home. To remedy this without putting up walls, visual breaks can be used. However, like most things, split-level homes are gaining in popularity again. Written by If youre looking for a home with plenty of space for your family and for hosting guests, the stacked split design is an excellent choice. Using bricks or decorative stones attached to the walls as accents, Adding more windows to balance out the elements of your home. Common features of split-level houses include large living areas, low-pitched roofs, and multiple attics with ample storage space. Foyers in split-level homes typically contain the linen closets, coat racks, and other storage. This is the photo of the residence building before undergoing the remodeling process. The classic faade of a split-level home is very simple. Even designers will readily admit that remodeling this type of home is challenging for them. Split-level homes also provide more outside space. Updating a split-level home is hard. The style is not quite old enough to be considered a classic, but is no longer modern. Zillow Group is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for individuals with disabilities. That allows for expansive decks to be put on or to simply enjoy the extra yard space for kids and pets. You should know the various types of split-level homes before you can consider buying or building one of your own. Garage doors are clad in metal. A split level home is often a great investment, and there are lots of pros to buying one. Add a deck or patio, or even extend your house if space permits. Lengthen the present rooflines in your home, Match the paint of your garage door to the paint of your main door, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE7jN7ofmeI, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKS8AnI6Ahk, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHaeHzf4iBU. Espresso Cabinets, white dekton waterfall island and countertops, rustic lvt flooring, black appliances, globe pendant lighting, retro refrigerator, wire handrail, split level master piece. They wanted an open, spacious, airy feeling to this floor. Lighting is one of the most important features in just about any home layout. Create low cabinets that can also double as window seats, which allow you to save space and makes for a unique piece. However, from the outside, they appear like there is only one level. For the first idea, let's take a look at the picture of this traditional split-level house located in Minneapolis. Clients goal was to update the main floor and allow more natural light into this small-footprint home. Through out this home we brought in warm wood accents and the kitchen was no exception, with its custom floating shelves and graceful waterfall butcher block counter at the island. The original use of the cottage was to house agricultural workers on a farm. Houzz utilise des cookies et d'autres technologies de suivi similaires pour personnaliser mon exprience utilisateur, me proposer du contenu pertinent et amliorer ses produits et services. The use of mirrored sliding cabinets not only saved space but it also added to the illusion that the room is bigger than it actually is. One alternative is to re-do the exterior only; by converting the windows to a traditional colonial style (four upstairs, picture window downstairs). The homeowners are enthusiasts of residential modern architecture and wanted to update their 1960s split-foyer home with a modern design. While adding a new floor is a possibility, the most ideal way to extend your home is by expanding your main living space at the back. If you have a bigger budget, you can actually expand your home through the back. The French, Spanish, German, and Colonial Georgian are all sub types of this once dominant architectural style. Walk in the front door at ground level, and you climb a flight of stairs to reach the living room, dining, room and kitchen level . Garage doors are often taken for granted. If you come across an early cape it might seem a bit utilitarian on the inside but thats an easy fix with a little charm! The outside of a split-level has a unique look to it and that can be enough to dispel a potential buyer from taking a visit. Split Levels and Split Foyers became popular in the United States in the 1970s. Photos by Richard Pasley. Consider these options for altering the exterior: This isnt as simple as yes or no. Plants and trees will help balance the overall look of your home and make it look much more even. Generally speaking, a split-level has a kitchen, a main entry, and the living room on the main level. This question is important and your answer will serve as your guide when it comes to updating your home. Cape Cods are a story and a half high with a steep, pitched roof designed to keep the snow from piling up on the roof. A split-level home has a few great places to start. The short answer is that, yes, you can convert a split-level to open up the home and make it feel more modern. Split-level remodel: exterior lighting. Conversely, you can consider adding in a window or two to really allow more natural light to permeate the space. Bi-Level or Split-Level Remodeling Tips For Homes Built in the 1970s. A split foyer actually has a separate section that is on the ground level between the garage and the house. The roof lines create an interesting look and this style never seems to be out-dated. We store towels, medicine, toiletry supplies, first-aid gear, massage devices, facial steamers, spare Painting your garage is a great way to improve the look of the space and make the walls easier to clean. Ryan Shaw. A little leeway may be unavoidable, such as changing the color scheme and tiles halfway, but changing your mind about big things, such as building a new wall in the same spot where an old one was removed, would mean wasted resources, especially money. The Cape Cod is truly a no frills style home. The split level can be built on a sloping a sloping lot (cheaper) with more square footage under one roof (cheaper! Below you can get a better understanding of the different types of split-level homes to help you determine which design is perfect for you. The U shaped ranch gives you a ton of options for the open space in the middleyou can put a pool, front porch or a courtyard area there. Notice the symmetry and 2 level design. We are continuously working to improve the accessibility of our web experience for everyone, and we welcome feedback and accommodation requests. If you have any bedrooms not in use, transform them into one big storage room. Given the limited space that split-level homes are known for, you might wonder if expansion is possible at all. More square footage on a smaller lota way to separate children and parents for increased sense of independence and privacy. Zillow, Inc. holds real estate brokerage licenses in multiple states. Renovations are also one of the best times for you to declutter. Modern home designs tend to focus on lighting details. He's an authority on the Florida real estate market, as well as selling a house by owner. So, we started by converting the existing single car garage into their living room (complete with a new fireplace) and opening up the kitchen to the rest of the level. One of the best ways to modernize a split-level home is to avoid a roof color that's too light or too close to the house color. To make it easier, we have put them under categories, depending on the issue you want to address. This 1960s split-level home desperately needed a change - not bigger space, just better. They feature a prominent front door, medium roofing lines for drainage and. The cape cod style originates in 17th century New England and was built with total practicality in mind. These give an illusion that the areas in the open space still have divisions that separate them. Split-level homes tend to be small, in terms of square footage . Unlike conventional floor plans, when you walk into the front door of a split foyer home, youll be greeted by the two sets of stairs. Consider all of the pros and cons of the different types of split-level homes before making a final decision. This type of split-level house will have at least three sections but may have more. Although this will lead to inconvenience when moving around your home, you can also get doors placed on each level to maintain the set temperature. Connect with top-rated agents near you and save thousands on commission fees. Over the years and more recently, we, as architects, have been more involved due to the riddle of the split level being so hard to solve. Split-level exteriors tend to be a bit bland. We cleaned up the cabinets and brass hardware, switched out the formica counter for a new quartz top, and painted wall a cheery accent color to liven it up a bit. To recap, split-level homes have three distinct levels that are accessed via short sets of stairs. 10 Things You Need to Do When Buying A Home, 3 Reasons to Live in a New Home Before Renovating, DIY Backyard Fire Pit: Build It in Just 7 Easy Steps, This Checklist Is the Key to Taking Care of Your Home (Without the Stress), How to Actually Afford to Buy a Home in America, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 442-H New York Standard Operating Procedures. To modernize a split-level home you can take action and add some recessed lighting to the first floor, as well as some skylights, throughout the home. At the same time, these homes are also in the current sweet spot for in-town renovations because of their location on the growth rings of cities. Copyright 2023 Real Estate Witch All rights reserved. Some split-level homes have ample space at the back and on one side. Surprisingly, this style of home was developed not due to aesthetic reasons but out of necessity. Using a solid paint color ended up making the entire room look a lot more spacious than when wallpaper was used. The entry has sets of stairs leading up the main floor and another set that leads to the lower level of the home. This way, the new addition is not that visible from the front of your home. LawnStarter Full Review: Is the Uber of Lawn Care Legit? The need to climb stairs tends to lower the value a little bit, which can help first-time homebuyers that are looking to break into home ownership. Read more, Your email address will not be published. The split level came into prominence in the 1950s and 60s when returning GIs and others wanted a more grand looking home with a small budget. Browse through the largest collection of home design ideas for every room in your home. The outside is often another story. The substantial addition at the rear of the home is barely visible here--the only hint being that the main ridge is a little higher from this point of view. Moreover, the proper windows can play an integral role in the energy-efficiency of your home. Your Do You Need an Addition or Remodel Contractor? This floor plan features three to four floors and many sets of stairs. But times have changed, and modern garage door designs can transform the look of the front of your home. Now we know why Art Deco is popular in Miami! In most cases, the garage will sit on the ground level and the bedroom area will be stacked above it. Painted a crisp shade of white with black trim details, the home now boasts modern farmhouse style. We removed two walls to open up this kitchen to the adjacent dining and family room area in this classic Split Level style home. Most types of split-level houses will feature several staircases that lead to the different levels of the house. Tastes change; so, too, an owner's requirements of their home. He's an authority on the Florida real estate market, as well as selling a house by owner. Photo Credit: Mid-Century Split Level Addition/Whole House Remodel, Front Yard This may involve a major structural overhaul, but its worth considering. For example, the laundry room will most likely be on a different floor than the bedrooms and bathrooms. Step inside the house and youll see polished flooring, shiny appliances, freshly-painted walls, and so much more. While its rare that a person requests to have a split level house built today, it can be a great house for a new family breaking into home ownership in the suburbs. We can help you out with that! [Office] And many of them are Colonial style, meaning that they feature grids that divide the window into 12 or more small lites, rather than larger panes of glass. Je peux rejeter les cookies non essentiels en cliquant sur Grer mes prfrences . The big tree doesnt help at all, since it just makes the left side heavier than the other side. Raising the entry half a level and introducing a wrap-around elevation porch ultimately . Look for ideas in your neighborhood. If youve recently fallen in love with this type of floor plan, its worth familiarizing yourself with your options. If your land slopes and the main entrance to your home is higher than the pavement, which is often the case, add steps or a small flight of stairs leading to the door. This is partially because they are seen as being out of date. link to How To Organize A Bathroom Closet. For ranches, this can extend off the main house and connect to a garage that was once completely separate from the rest of the home. Homes with two stories, or two-story homes, are built with one floor right above the other. Renovated Split Level Home in Salt Lake City. An exterior remodel of your tri-level home may sound easy because you might believe you can just go for whatever design you want. This is due to the fact that the sides of this type of home tend to be boringly blank youre actually lucky if you even have windows on the sides. The first staircase that leads downwards goes to either the basement or some other type of informal living space. But the good news is that there are plenty of methods for bringing a more modern aesthetic to your split-level home. The lower level, on the other hand, has lower ceilings and is partly below ground level. The chimney and fireplace became mostly decorations. The home will include many sets of stairs, or in some cases, just a couple of steps, but the entry is generally at ground level. That pop of color can give the right contrast to the rest of the home to make it stand out in a positive way.